Long-Term Clinical Outcome of Patients Using Risperidone Long-Acting Injectable: The Romanian e-STAR Database

Abstract

The objectives of e-STAR Romania (NCT00283517) were to collect clinical outcome data of Romania schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder patients; prospectively to assess the reasons of treatment initiation, medication usage patterns; to document (long-term) clinical efficacy; and to collect safety data, as well as recording 2-year corresponding retrospective data. In total, 378 eligible subjects were enrolled who were initiated either on risperidone long-acting injectable (RLAI) (290) or on an oral antipsychotic (OA) (88) at baseline as required by the local Summary of the Product Characteristics. Data were collected from per patient both retrospectively and prospectively over a 24-month period at 3-month intervals after starting treatment. The results indicated that subjects suffering from schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder initiated on RLAI were less likely to be hospitalized within the first 24 months after the initiation of treatment. Moreover, subjects treated with RLAI experienced significant improvements in their illness severity and functioning. Discontinuation rates for RLAI were low and doses were stable throughout the 24 months following the initiation of treatment. In addition, the necessity for supplementary concomitant medication was reduced. Adverse events were reported in 20.3% (RLAI) and 11.4% (OA) of the subjects. In general, patients initiated on RLAI and OA at baseline both clinically improved on all assessed parameters but a larger improvement was observed for patients on RLAI. Incidences of reported AEs during the use of RLAI in a naturalistic setting are comparable with those described in clinical studies; however, the incidence of extrapyramidal signs and weight gain was lower than expected.